[keith A]

Horbaczewski was getting very close to Skalski's tally in 1944. Skalski's victory markings on his Mustang an indication that he had just 17 kills by 1944 - none shared (and four probables). At the same time Horbaczewski had was not far behind with 12 kills. Nothing I have read about Skalski (or any other fighter pilot) indicates a modest approach to claiming, usually these are made by biographers. In which case Horbaczewski was officially just one half of a kill behind when he died - although arguably he had thirteen and a half kills because he never wrote a combat report after his last flight.

Parallels between Bishop and Mannock in WW1 spring to mind.

regards

Keith